文章基本信息

标题：Reconciling Observed Tariffs and the Median Voter Model
本地全文：下载
作者：Swati Dhingra
期刊名称：CEP Discussion Paper
出版年度：2014
卷号：2014
语种：English
出版社：Centre for Economic Performance
摘要：Median voter theory applied to trade policy predicts positive tariffs in capital-abundant countries and negative tariffs in labor-abundant countries. Negative tariffs are rare, and this paper reconciles the median voter theory with observed protectionism across countries. By considering large countries, I show the optimal tariff is a sum of the median voter component and a positive in terms of trade component. Positive terms of trade effects raise tariffs in all countries, and can overcome the negative median voter component in labor-abundant countries. Testing the tariff prediction with cross-section and panel data from the 1990s, I show the median voter component is negative in labor-abundant countries and positive in capital-abundant countries. As expected, terms of trade effects raise tariffs across all countries and are stronger among non-members of the WTO.
关键词：Median voter;trade policy;Heckscher Ohlin;terms of trade;WTO